UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- In a loss James Franklin called a "painful lesson" for his team, Penn State's challenge now is trying to fix the flaws that showed against Ohio State and deal with new limitations that could be presented this week.
Starting defensive end Ryan Buchholz and starting left tackle Ryan Bates both were injured in the collapse in Columbus and Bates was unable to finish out the game after getting rolled up on and Buchholz, after getting carted off, later left the field on crutches and with his left foot in a boot.
Franklin wouldn't comment one way or another about either players availability for Saturday's game at Michigan State, but reading between the lines the Nittany Lions' defensive line will have to make adjustments should Buchholz be out and what can this offensive line do without it's top player?
"Chasz Wright has been a starter off and on and has done some really good things over the last year. We're going to need him to play well this week," Franklin said when asked if Bates will be available this week. Keep in mind was Wright who checked in the game at right tackle when Bates was injured, a move that forced redshirt freshman right tackle Will Fries to move to left tackle.
Franklin later said in a separate response that "we haven't determined that we're replacing anybody yet."
So, perhaps Bates, who played one series after getting hurt and then limping off again, is able to contribute, but if not it throws this line another curve ball. Penn State has the option to move guard Brendan Mahon to either of the tackle spots, but Franklin outlined earlier this season that the staff hasn't done that because if so then they're creating a void at guard. It's an option they could go to should Bates miss significant time, but otherwise it'd seem unlikely given the staff's unwillingness to do so earlier this season.
"We're just going to have to continue to get better," Franklin said, highlighting that he's pleased with the development of the younger players that's happening behind the scenes. "I would say that Ohio State, you could make the argument they have one of the best defensive lines in college football, so everything is magnified. Again, we're going to stick to our formula. We're going to stick to our process. We're going to continue to get better."
While it's purely speculative, the nature of Buchholz' injury looked to be more severe. The fact that he was carted off certainly doesn't bode well and for a team that's already without starting defensive end Torrence Brown losing a versatile piece like Buchholz -- a guy who can play inside or out -- is far from ideal.
Shaka Toney took on an increased role against Ohio State purely given the circumstances and Franklin said the defensive specialist played too many snaps against the Buckeyes. Yetur Gross-Matos is a true freshman who could see his reps go up and so too could redshirt freshman Shane Simmons, though it's worth noting that Toney played more than Simmons against Ohio State.
One potential option for Penn State is to continue to rely on the versatility of this front and move Kevin Givens around should need be. Givens has the quick-twitch ability to be a factor inside or outside and could become an outside option if Buchholz is out.
"I think you guys know we do have some position flexibility with some of our guys, some of the depth we do have at D tackle, creates some flexibility for us, as well," Franklin said.
To me, that screams hello, Givens. The Lions have raved about their depth inside with Parker Cothren, Curtis Cothran, Tyrell Chavis, Robert Windsor and Givens, so moving the most natural guy outside could be the change.
"He's probably one of the strongest guys on the team pound-for-pound. He's freakish in the weight room, on the field," linebacker Jason Cabinda said of Givens. "To me, it's his leverage. If I had to compare him to a player, kind of like an Aaron Donald. He just plays with leverage, low, he's strong, twitchy. He comes off the ball, drives people back. He lives in the backfield. He's always in the backfield, creating new line of scrimmage. That's why he's so effective both inside and outside. In terms of freakish, I mean, we use him a lot in our loops. He's just very good at bending the corner, getting around, getting his hips back squared against the quarterback. He's very good at that."
And, Givens might need to be doing more of that come Saturday at noon in East Lansing.
